A Lion was awakened
from his sleep by a Mouse running over his face. Rising up
angrily, he caught him and was about to kill him, when the Mouse begged
him, saying: "If you would only spare my life, I would be sure to
repay your kindness."

The Lion was so tickled at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him
that he laughed and let him go. Shortly after this the Lion was
caught by hunter, who bound him with ropes to a tree. The Mouse,
recognizing his roar, came gnawed the rope with his teeth, and set him
free, exclaimed:

"You ridiculed the idea of my ever being able to help you,
expecting to receive from me any repayment of your favor. Now you
know that it is possible for even a mouse to help a lion.